On 20^th September 2022, Trisuree Trisoranakul, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Thai government's Prime Minister Office, announced that the Thai government has approved the allocation of the budget of 212.102 million baht from Annual Budget Expenditure 2022 to pay cash rebate for 6 foreign movies in accordance with Thailand's incentive schemes to attract big budgets from foreign film productions to the kingdom. According to Trisuree, this Film Incentive Measures belong to the Thailand Film Office (TFO), Department of Tourism, by implementing this scheme, Thailand intended to reward filmmakers who invest 50 million baht or more in filming in Thailand. Since the program was first introduced in 2017, there have been a total of 43 projects that have opted to participate, which brought in more than 8,560 million baht to boost Thailand Economy.

The primary incentive of this scheme is a 15% cash rebate + 5% of additional incentive as follows:

+5% In promoting Thai Tourism, Soft Power, and a Positive Reflection of Thailand

+3% For hiring Key Thai Personnel

+3% For filming in areas designated by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS)

+2% For spending on post-production services in Thailand

Considering such success, TFO also decides to renew the 5% additional cash rebate for minimum local spend of more than 100 million baht (approximately 2.7 million dollars) in Thailand to foreign productions that begin their shooting processes from before 31^st December 2022  to  before 31^st December 2023.

In addition, there are two motivating policies to attract foreign filmmakers even more.

First, the Cabinet has approved “The Exemption of Foreign Actor Tax” for 5 years which is now under the legislation process of the Ministry of Finance.

Second, from the 1^st September 2022 onwards, foreign filmmakers and crews of the film production eligible to receive cash rebate can apply for VISA and Work Permit at the BOI One Stop Service Center, which can be found on the 18^th floor of the Chamchuri Square Building.

All of the above demonstrates how the Thai government is now fully aware of the expanding competitive situation in the film industry, as well as the increasing disruption of streaming platforms that enter the traditional filmmaking process. This, however, can be seen as a part of the income generating scheme, which will grow with the implementation of more enabling policies in the future.

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About Creative Economy Agency (CEA)

Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization): CEA established with the mission to promote the Creative Economy as the driving force to a balanced and sustainable economy and to foster significant economic development in Thailand through the promotion of creative economy initiatives and ventures.

The integration of all sectors is needed for the development of the nation's creative economy, therefore Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) is established to support and develop creative economy, enhance the entrepreneurs, create ecosystem for the creative personnel, and create connections with wisdom, culture, and production sectors which are factors in driving the economy.

Creative Industrial Strategy Officer

Kanteera Patrasinsuntorn Tel: 08-3998-9289 Email: [email protected] 

Public Relations

Parpitchaya Suntornsema Tel: 08-6031-3066 Email: [email protected]

Pimpattra Janhom Tel: 08-2323-2660 Email: [email protected]